Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum was established in 1982 on the old RAF Tangmere airfield. From its beginnings in 1916, through its illustrious service as one of Britain's front line fighter bases during WW2 and on to its key role as home to the world speed record breaking aircraft of the High Speed Flight in the post war years it has occupied a unique place in aviation history.
The museum contains countless fascinating exhibits. Here you can see priceless historic aircraft such as Neville Duke's world record breaking Hawker Hunter, actual equipment used by the brave SOE agents who were carried into occupied France on 'black Lysander' flights from Tangmere, flight simulators where you can try your hand at flying, a full sized replica of the very first Spitfire prototype and more. Much more.
There is something for all the family to see and do.
Tangmere Hall
In the Tangmere Hall you will find many exhibits illustrating the history of Tangmere from 1917 to 1970. The Hall also contains a comprehensive exhibition devoted to the equipment and activities of the special SOE agents, and the Lysander pilots who flew them to and from occupied Europe from Tangmere. There are also special sections on the Royal Flying Corps - the forerunner of the RAF - a small art gallery containing a number of fine original aviation paintings, a section on the radio equipment used in the second world war and displays of medals and uniforms from all periods of Tangmere's history.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN HALL
Here the focus is mainly on the crucial air battles fought in the skies over Southern Britain in 1940. See the excavated and poignant remains of Sergeant Dennis Noble's Hurricane, enjoy the many fine poems written by airmen during the conflict, examine retrieved remains of Merlin, Junkers Jumo and Griffon engines.
MERSTON HALL
The Merston Hall houses the Museum's two world airspeed record holding aircraft - Donaldson's Meteor and Duke's Hunter. In addition to these there are two full sized replica Spitfires and a full sized replica Hurricane. Here too you can see cutaway jet engines, an exhibition of aircraft propellers, one of the museum's flight simulators, a Link Trainer under restoration, an exhibition of flying helmets, several ejector seats and many other unique exhibits all in a hangar styled hall.
MERYL HANSED MEMORIAL HALL
The newest Hall at the museum houses a 1950s Line Hut which serves as the focal point of the Museum's preservation effort, the Hunter Mk 5 and the English Electric Lightning F53, both aircraft generously donated to the museum by Raymond and the late Meryl Hansed.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
OPENING TIMES
The museum is open every day between February 1st and November 30th.
March to October: 10.00am to 5.30pm
February and November: 10.00am to 4.30pm
(last admissions one hour before closing each day)
| ADMISSION CHARGES |
| Adults |
£7.50 |
| Over 60s |
£6.00 |
| Children between 5 and 16 |
£2.00 |
| Children under 5 |
Free |
| Family ticket: (2 adults and 2 children) |
£17.00 |
By Car:
The museum is three miles East of Chichester in West Sussex and south of the A27 where it is clearly signposted. There is ample free parking.
By Bus:
The 55 bus from Chichester Bus Station runs every half hour ( at ten past and twenty to the hour ) and terminates at the Museum door. Journey time is around 25 minutes.
Address:
Tangmere
Nr Chichester,
West Sussex
PO20 2ES